System and method for differential group delay compensation

An exemplary system and method for differential group delay compensation are provided that include a method for differential group delay compensation of an optical signal that increases overall bandwidth and reduces the bit-error-rate of a fiber optic transmission system. The method includes generating a translated polarization signal by translating the wavelength of either or both of a leading polarization signal and a trailing polarization signal of an optical signal. The wavelength(s) is translated by an amount that is related to the delay between the leading polarization signal and the trailing polarization signal. The translated polarization signal may then be introduced, along with the other polarization signal, to an optical fiber, such as a dispersion compensating fiber with high chromatic dispersion, that has the optical property of a group delay that varies with wavelength. This results in the generation of a differential group delay compensated optical signal.